Steel Magnolias, the TV movie based on the blockbuster film, was announced with much fanfare by Sony Pictures Television, Lifetime Entertainment, and A&E Television Networks. Now Victoria White, who was an executive producer on the movie, is suing all three over the TV series saying she was never contacted regarding her rights in the property. She is charging breach of contract, good faith, fair dealing, and is seeking injunctive relief before the October 7th debut. She also wants screen credits, fees, and a portion of net profits. Read the lawsuit here. Lifetime’s remake of the 1989 feature film stars Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott, Adepero Oduye and Rashad’s daughter Condola Rashad star.

11 Comments

Shades of “Raging Bull 2″. Maybe some films can be left as they are – without sequels, prequels, or reimaginings.

Wait a minute – this IS Hollywood we’re talking about, right? Never mind.

Anti-believer • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

This isn’t a sequel, silly. It’s a remake.

anotherwgamember • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

I hope she prevails. A deal is a deal (except in Hollywood when it isn’t) but still, it looks like she has a case.

And come to think of it not a very big case. Let’s face it, this is small potatoes so why not just pay, credit and move on. Send them both a check and a gift basket.

Next.

Teejay • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

Well, at least one person cares about this remake.

joe • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

Shes suing over the TV series? I thought this was a movie ? When did it become a series ?

Lucifer • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

why she didn’t sue for the previous remake (1990)?
and by the way: crappy play, crappy film
why wasting money foer a remake?

Bob • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

If you read the complaint, she WAS compensated and credited for the 1992 television movie produced by Sony. What she’s saying is, the Television Agreement was signed in 1989, before the theatrical version was released, and that it is ‘in perpetuity’ for ANY television version. Sony disagrees.

The Kevster • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

Remaking this film as a TV movie whose only rationale for being is that they changed the skin color of the cast is a sad commentary on what now passes for an ‘original’ idea in film and television these days. Haven’t seen the film, don’t plan on watching it; maybe it’s actually good and if so, than congrats to all involved.

However, re: Ms. White: she does not have a case based on the contract she submitted, which as Sony stated only applies to the 1992 TV version. It does not, as Ms. White contends, tie her to any other productions. Indeed the contract is not even solely with her but with her and Harling, so his not being a party to the lawsuit severely undercuts her claim as well. Unless her original deal transferring the underlying rights to Rastar references TV and attaches her to any subsequent derivative productions, she’s probably not going to prevail.

Yes, it’s very little money, comparatively speaking – Zadan and Meron probably got a mid-six figure fee – and Sony should’ve just paid her something to avoid the legal fees, which will probably cost them way more. But they were not obligated to.

P.S.: Not that this matters because it’s about her contract not the level of services, but I knew several people who worked on the film and while she was definitely present, to say she has exaggerated her role on the project would be an understatement. She keeps using the word ‘directed’ as in, she ‘directed’ the marketing campaign or ‘directed’ the foreign release of the film. When you are working for Herb Ross and Ray Stark, not to mention a major studio, you are not ‘directing’ anything.

i think she needs to go sit down she just want’s money and also i think she just hates that it’s a better remake with an all black cast that are all beautiful black women .

BabyImFragile • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

This is appointment television, my friends. When it comes out, it’s going on the shelf next to Showgirls and Basic Instinct 2, mark my words.

SrPapa • on Oct 1, 2012 8:08 pm

“Steel Magnolias” was one of the best written, best constructed plays of the 20th century, an all female cast of strong, capable women. Not something that gets produced every day, if you know anything about theater or film. The 1989 film version strayed somewhat from the original play, but stoop up well on its own merits. The current remake kept much of the original work, updated it skillfully, and presented the lives of six strong, capable women of color in the realistic milieu that modern film audiences sadly expect. The stage version was much more a slice of life piece, with the “behind the scenes” content told rather than shown.The single set was a stroke of genius, embodying the stalwart friendships of these women across three generations, M’Lynn being the central figures, whose arc goes the furthest in displaying what she is made of. The current production did seem a bit “dated” (despite the attempts to update), but the essence of the original came through. I do agree that Hollywood is bereft of original ideas, but this is an incredible piece of literature that deserves to be seen by as many women as possible.